History of HCAS

Agents, Local Directors and Executive Directors

1907 - 2007
1907-1909 Mr. Albert Checker,
Agent of the Children’s Aid Society
1909-1916 Mr. W.H. Wrightmeyer,
Agent of the Children’s Aid Society
1916-1949 Mr. Thomas Ruston,
Agent of the Children’s Aid Society
1949-1953 Mr. William Lockyer,
Agent of the Children’s Aid Society
1953 Mr. Ward Melanbacher,
Temporary Agent of the Children’s Aid Society
1954-1979 Mr. Bruce Kerr,
Local Director
1979-1980 Mr. Andre Bergeron,
Executive Director
1981-1999 Mr. R. Larry MacDonald,
Executive Director
2000-Present Mr. P. Leonard Kennedy,
Executive Director

John Joseph Kelso, 1864 – 1935

John Joseph Kelso was born in Ireland on March 31, 1864. He was the youngest of ten children. The family immigrated to Canada when John was ten years old. The family suffered hunger and cold when his father was unable to support the family on his earnings. His mother’s tears spurred John to find odd jobs to pick up what bits of firewood he could find. His devotion to his mother and her firm Christian principles stayed with him all of his life.

  • 1864
    • Born March 31, Dundalk, Ireland
  • 1874
    • The family arrived in Toronto, Canada
  • 1875
    • Messenger, Dominion Telegraph Co.
  • 1880
    • Heard the call to Social Service
  • 1884
    • Pupil, Jarvis Street School
  • 1885
    • Reporter, Toronto World
  • 1887
    • Promoted legislation, re: street children and Ontario Act, re: juvenile offenders
    • Organized Toronto Humane Society
  • 1888
    • Organized Children’s Fresh Air Fund and Santa Claus Fund for poor children
    • Advocated more play grounds and free skating rinks for children
    • Brought American Humane Convention to Toronto
  • 1889
    • Member of Toronto Globe staff
    • Official stenographer Legislature
    • President of Press Gallery
  • 1892
    • Invited by Ontario Government to organize and direct child welfare work
    • Called conference to organize Royal Canadian Humane Society
  • 1893
    • Appointed superintendent of Neglected and Dependent Children of Ontario
  • 1894-97
    • Organized the Children’s Aid Society of the City of Belleville.
    • In reports to Ontario Legislature advocated many social reforms, especially public (?)and for widows with young children
    • Induced American Social Welfare Convention to meet in Toronto
    • Elected vice-president Canadian Conference of Charities and Correction
  • 1898
    • Addressed Manitoba Legislature
    • Drafted Children’s Protection Act
    • Assisted in organization of Children’s Aid Society of Winnipeg
    • Addressed British Columbia Legislature on Child Welfare
    • Organized Children’s Aid Societies in Vancouver and Victoria
  • 1903
    • Emptied Ontario Reformatory for Boys in Penetanguishene
  • 1904
    • Secured homes for inmates and closed Ontario Refuge for Girls
  • 1905
    • Visited Nova Scotia to organize Children’s Aid work. Children’s Aid Society started in Halifax and New Glasgow
  • 1908
    • Called meeting at City Hall to organize Toronto Playgrounds Association
  • 1909
    • Visited Saskatchewan to assist Government in Child Welfare Legislation
    • Organized Children’s Aid Societies in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Moosejaw
  • 1911
    • Called meeting at City Hall, Toronto to organize Neighbourhood House
  • 1912
    • Promoted University Settlement for student activities
  • 1913
    • Organized Children’s Aid Society of St. John, NB
  • 1921
    • Appointed by Ontario Government as Administrator to Adoption Act and Children of Unmarried Parents’ Act
  • 1934
    • March 31, retired from public service
  • 1935
    • His Heavenly Father called him to higher service. Truly it can be said, “His works do follow him.”
  • 1975
    • The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the work and the passing of the Children’s Protection Act, paid tribute to the late Mr. J. J. Kelso for his foresight and great love for the neglected children of Ontario.